cloud services. At the cloud level, user
authentication is also required, and
based on that authentication, users are
granted access to both applications
as well as datasets related to that specific system.

From a systems-manage-ment perspective, facilities managers gained fine-grain control
of every single connected device
throughout the space. Using the
Platformatics graphical user interface (GUI), users can now assign lights or other devices to
a zone with a simple drag-and-drop action, enabling a deep level
of customization. Individual
zones can be named, making
them easier to identify. Unique
parameters can be set for each
zone as well. For example, users can determine how bright
the lights in that zone should be,
or how much power they should
use. Users can also set timeouts
for motion sensors, wait times for other
controls, and regulate other specific da-ta-gathering functions.

Virtually every function available in theGUI is also available via an API. This givesusers the ability to build a custom inter-face and write other applications for thesystem. At the West Baden Springs Hotel,Platformatics designed an applicationthat gave facilities managers the ability toschedule a playlist, or a sequence of light-ing events that take place over a prepro-grammed amount of time. Here, the play-list function is used to coordinate all of thecolor lights around the outside ring andinside the pinwheel in order to produce acolor show for the atrium. That applica-tion also can perform simpler functionssuch as setting a circadian rhythm play-list, where the lights change from warmercolors in the morning to cooler colors inmidday and back to warmer colors by eve-ning, replicating the progression of naturallight throughout the day. In a work space,this has been shown to improve healthand productivity for the workers, en-hance alertness and focus throughout theworkday, and promote better sleep cy-cles after work hours. If there is a secondshift or third shift, that cycle can be re-peated so that other shift workers experi-ence the same benefits, regardless of thetime of day.

Altogether, this system not only allows more precise and discrete control
of the lights themselves, but by inter-connecting and programming different
endpoints, the hotel can leverage its PoE
network to build a complete Internet of
Things (Io T) platform throughout the
building. With this Io T platform, the facilities managers can take advantage of
advanced data gathering and monitoring capabilities for occupancy, power usage and temperature, as well as other
environmental conditions such as carbon dioxide, humidity, and daylight.

The analytics available to customers
is only limited by a customer’s imagination. The uses of that data are only beginning to be brought out from the enterprise customers.

Some of the more commonly soughtmetrics include information about en-ergy use, operating hours and batteryhealth for emergency lighting, as well asother system configuration and perfor-mance information. Using this data, endusers can optimize their spaceto meet their specific needs, pro-viding a leg-up in terms of facili-ties planning. For example, userscan program their lighting systemto illuminate a zone with specificparameters based on occupancyand daylight. Other systems an-alytics can be automated as well,such as testing of the emergencylights, which can aid in regularmaintenance of the end-devicesand prevent outages. Additionally,by monitoring power condition-ing and utilization, users can notonly reduce their overhead energyuse, but they also can optimizetheir building in order to apply forLEED and other green-buildingcredits and certifications. In short, userscan not only be proactive at improvingtheir space, but also predictive.

Changing the way we illuminate

For the West Baden Springs Hotel, the PoE-enabled lighting system has not only pro-vided a host of operational benefits fromthe design phase throughout the installa-tion, but also demonstrated the viability ofthis technology as a futureproof, Io T-readybuilding solution. “This system has reallyproven out the technology and its abilityto deliver [building systems] solutions overlow voltage, over PoE, in order to do thingsjust not possible otherwise,” says Conner.“The sky is the limit.”For the technology experts at SuperiorEssex and Platformatics, being a part ofthis project wasn’t just about the capabil-ities of the technology, but also the userexperience it imparts. “The West BadenHotel project is an important model of

Superior Essex Power Wise 1 Gigabit 4-pair Power over

Ethernet cabling was run from the server room down
through the atrium directly to the lights. By using
Power Wise 1G 4PPoE cabling to transmit power and
data to each light, the need for alternating-current
wiring systems at each fixture was eliminated.